Paladin, Chief Wallabee 8-1 in KDFW Pool 5; Zany favored in Oaks future

By the narrowest of margins, Paladin emerged as the favorite over Chief Wallabee in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5, which closed at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday after opening for betting at noon on Friday.

Winner of the Remsen (G2) and Risen Star (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, Paladin settled at 8-1 odds, the same as Fountain of Youth (G2) runner-up Chief Wallabee. However, Paladin technically attracted more wagering dollars than Chief Wallabee, with a prospective $2 win payoff of $18.56 vs. $19.30.

Fountain of Youth winner Commandment and Holy Bull (G3) conqueror Nearly closed at 12-1, proving narrowly more popular than Sam F. Davis S. winner Renegade (13-1) and “All Other Three-Year-Olds” (14-1). Incredibolt (16-1), Silent Tactic (17-1), Potente (18-1), and Cherokee Nation (19-1) were the only others to close at under 20-1.

The remaining betting interests were The Puma (23-1), Further Ado (25-1), Class President (28-1), Emerging Market (33-1), Golden Tempo (36-1), Reagan’s Honor (38-1), Canaletto (40-1), Iron Honor (41-1), Blackout Time (41-1), Chip Honcho (45-1), Litmus Test (45-1), Brant (55-1), Talk to Me Jimmy (55-1), Napoleon Solo (57-1), Danon Bourbon (58-1), Buetane (63-1), Six Speed (66-1), Intrepido (69-1), Great White (84-1), Pyromancer (85-1), Fulleffort (89-1), So Happy (103-1), Lucky Kid (150-1), Confessional (156-1), Secured Freedom (160-1), Robusta (174-1), Salloom (181-1), Pavlovian (210-1), Stark Contrast (227-1), and Express Kid (259-1).

Also on Sunday, the lone 2026 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager pool closed at 6:30 p.m. ET. Zany, the unbeaten and unchallenged winner of the Demoiselle (G2) and Suncoast S., proved popular among bettors, closing as the clear favorite at 4-1.

Two other fillies offered single-digit odds. Bella Ballerina, the undefeated Golden Rod (G2) and Rachel Alexandra (G2) conqueror, settled at 7-1. Explora, a three-time stakes winner fresh off a triumph in the Honeybee (G3), closed at 8-1.

Next in order of popularity were She Be Smooth (11-1), Meaning (12-1), Bottle of Rouge (14-1), Percy’s Bar (15-1), All Other Three-Year-Old Fillies (17-1), and French Friction (18-1), all closing at under 20-1.

Rounding out the betting options were Counting Stars (22-1), Forced Entry (27-1), Just Singing (45-1), Dazzling Dame (48-1), Luv Your Neighbor (51-1), Paradise (54-1), Labwah (54-1), On Time Girl (56-1), French Blue (61-1), Love and Trust (62-1), Life of Joy (64-1), Search Party (65-1), Nycon (72-1), Taken by the Wind (73-1), Prom Queen (83-1), Newtown Pike (83-1), Brooklyn Blonde (98-1), My Miss Mo (101-1), Sticker Shock (102-1), Sneaky Good (112-1), Swing Vote (112-1), Market Chill (119-1), A. P.’s Girl (129-1), Powered by Family (133-1), Bank Shot (145-1), Hit Parade (177-1), Resplendence (183-1), Kadabra (228-1), Maximum Offer (243-1), Knickleandime (250-1), and Pashmina (500-1).

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 6, the final future wager in advance of the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1), is scheduled for April 2-4.